VietNamNet Bridge – Hanoi’s students will join a volunteer programme in Laos’ capital Vientiane from July 8-20, according to a leader of the city’s youth union.

Secretary of the Hanoi Youth Union Nguyen Thanh Phong said this is the second year the union has held the programme that aims to enhance relations between the two capital cities’ youth toward the 46th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

Phong said the programme has received support from local agencies and businesses, including the military telecoms corporation, Viettel, with a fund of 200 million VND.

The volunteers, who are students of various universities in Hanoi, will go to Saytany District, 60km from Vientiane, to give free medical check-ups and medicines to locals, present 2,000 gifts to preferential treatment beneficiaries, and join cultural exchanges.

They will guide locals to keep living environment clean and hygienic, and to prevent epidemics for humans and animals.

In Vientiane, the volunteers will present computers, books, newspapers to the Nguyen Du school, where overseas Vietnamese children are studying, the Vietnam-Laos Friendship School of Technique, and the Vientiane Youth Union.

The youth unions of the two cities are also set to sign a cooperation programme on training of personnel and prepare a programme on trade promotion between the two cities’ associations of young businesses in late 2008.

(Source: VNA)